Robert Charles Stone

As a child life at home wasn´t easy and early on Bob began finding small jobs like his paper route to help the family. One of Bob´s first jobs at the age of 14 was as a dishwasher for the Tip Top Cafe in Miles City, Montana. He quickly became the favorite of the two owners who treated him like a son. It wasn´t long before the owner's wife took Bob under her wing and began teaching him how to run the grill. Much to her husband's surprise, one day when the cook was out sick Bob stepped in to help and it wasn´t long before he was running the kitchen.

A few years later, Bob´s desire to explore the world led him to the Navy recruiters office and true to form, when Bob made up his mind there was no turning back. However, the Navy had a several month wait on starting new recruits so without hesitation, Bob did an about face and headed down the to block to the Air Force recruiters' office and asked, "How soon can I leave?" After basic training at Lackland AFB, Bob´s first assignment was to the B-52 squadron in Spokane, WA. One weekend, after much coaxing from a friend that he should take a break from work, Bob went to a graduation party in Lewiston, ID where he met Ardis Crouse and before the evening was over, his hard work ethic and determination had a new focus in winning the heart of this young woman. After years of writing letters, long visits to her college campus and earning the love and respect of her parents Bob was married to Ardie in 1963.

Bob served a distinguished career in the Air Force serving 14 years as a bombing systems navigation technician on-board the B-36, B-52 and B-47 aircraft. Upon completing his last deployment during the Vietnam conflict, Bob chose to sacrifice offers for promotion in order to be with his young wife and their growing family and was honorably discharged from the service. At the time, living in Riverside, CA Bob found work at the Rohr manufacturing company. Working his way up from an entry-level position, with just a high school GED and a few college classes, Bob´s bosses saw potential and decided to take a chance and let him fill a position as an Industrial Engineer in training. When his bosses asked if he could do the job Bob´s response was, "If you can train me how to do it, I can do anything, sir."

Several years later, looking to move back closer to their family, Bob and Ardie opened their own engraving business. Based out of the small town of Weippe, ID, while Bob and Ardie grew their business, Bob doubled as the head janitor at the local high school in order to make ends meet. Bob often recalled how he had spent many a night as a child going to bed hungry and was determined to provide for his family so they would never have to know that feeling. After 22 years as a business owner, his daughter began to encourage him to sell the business and retire so he could enjoy his family and travel.

Bob retired to San Antonio, Texas. Many who knew him would remember him volunteering at the hospital and hospice, making meals for his Life Group, setting up church on Sunday mornings, being the best conversationalist at the gym, knowing and being know by everyone in Costco on a first-name basis and being quick to share a story about his grandkids or pray for the need of a friend. Bob zealously enjoyed travel and learning about new places. He cruised to Alaska, the Bahamas, and Antarctica. He took a family genealogy trip with his brother Walt and the trip of a lifetime on African safari with his good friend Stewart Green.

Little did he know that at the age of 76 his daughter Rebecca would ask him to consider praying and coming with their family to share about Jesus, living with and loving the people of Paraguay. After praying and waiting for God´s answer, one day at his seniors Bible Study at Parkhills Baptist church God spoke to Bob through the words of Ruth and he took to heart the verse that says, "Wherever you go, I will go. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God." In the past two years, Bob has made friends in a new culture where he didn´t know the language. Not letting that stop him, Bob won over the hearts of everyone he met with a friendly smile: every security guard, parking attendant, store clerk, and farmer´s market worker knew Bob. In a place where it's easy to walk by someone on the street and let them blend into the landscape, Bob´s eyes took everyone in and his heart reached out to embrace them.

Always the loving proud father, Bob was even more enamored with his grandchildren. He prepared a hot breakfast for his grandkids every morning, drove them to and from school, was at every performance, school event, or team sport. He cooked family meals, mowed the lawn, did all the laundry, cleaned dishes, replaced sprinkler heads, painted nurseries, shopped for groceries, taught English as a second language and in every possible way lived out Jesus´ call to lay down your life and pick up your cross daily.

He showed his love through acts of service, kindness, hospitality and generosity. He gave joyfully, served faithfully and loved abundantly. His family will always lovingly remember him for his amazing pancakes, fun jokes, riddles & silly songs, great big bear hugs, and his love of good food and time with family.

Bob is survived by his two daughters Gwyneth Renee Goyette and Rebecca Joy Ortiz, his eldest brother Jim Stone and his youngest brother Walter Stone, and his cherished grandchildren Elizabeth, Lucas and Isabel.

Should you wish to honor Bob and his memory, in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to one of Bob´s favorite charities: Any Baby Can, in memory of Robert Henderson, or Chosen Adoption and Orphan Ministries.